REAPing an Economic Recovery

We all know that we are in a time of economic strife- nationally and locally. A lot of us are wondering, "How can we turn this around and how can I earn a living?" and moreover, "How can I earn a living while also doing something I am passionate about in my community?" How do communities encourage economic recovery that encompasses community and environment, and strives to encourage and utilize local talents, expertise, innovation and creativity? These are the questions being asked around the State and Country, and right here in SW Colorado through the regional Resource and Energy Action Plan- the REAP.

Diverse representatives from our five county region (Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan Counties, as well as the Southern Ute and Mountain Ute Indian Reservations) are coming together to create a plan that responds to these needs and desires expressed in our community by collaborating to formulate the REAP.


What is the REAP?
4CORE convened the REAP Advisory Board consisting of community representatives, including elected officials, ranchers, farmers, utilities, businesses, oil and gas representatives, non-profits, bankers, planners, educators, economic development, subject matter experts, and other sector representatives of SW Colorado and our regional counties.

REAP's  Mission is to ensure Southwest Colorado uses resources and energy effectively and efficiently to create economic opportunities and improve quality of life by developing and implementing the Resource and Energy Action Plan. 

REAP's Vision is that Southwest Colorado will REAP the benefits of effective use of resources and sustain a thriving region of rural, agricultural, and mountainous communities.

REAP's Guiding Principles:

• Energy and Conservation Ensure significant progress toward more efficient, safe and healthy resource technologies in order to enhance, promote, and diversify the local economy and job market; support and strengthen the region’s agriculture and building sectors; and engage and integrate the existing energy industry.
• Economic Vitality and Diversity Encourage local economic development and consumption that preserves and protects our heritage, natural resources, agriculture and energy production, thus providing opportunities for our diverse population to thrive in Southwest Colorado.
• Infrastructure Improve, expand and diversify community systems and services, such as transportation, public utilities, and resource recovery options.
• Vibrant and Involved Community Increase communication between all sectors and cultures throughout our region; promote education and involvement in existing and potential energy and economic opportunities.
• Environmental Stewardship Protect, conserve, and ensure the quality of our ecological resources

What has REAP accomplished so far?
Outcomes from the REAP so far entail a regional Energy Assessment, profiling electrical, natural gas, and other fuels used in residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors in SW Colorado. A Community Assessment, details the goals of the REAP and what is currently happening in SW Colorado that supports the REAP. These reports will serve as the baseline foundation to build on, incorporating regional energy efficiency, conservation and economic development strategies.

REAP next steps
Finalizing the strategic plan and creating action plans are scheduled in the first part of 2011, so stayed tuned for more information or check out the REAP website at 4CORE.

Colorado’s New Energy Economy

In November of 2007 Governor Bill Ritter announced Colorado’s first Climate Action Plan with the goal of establishing “clear strategies to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” for the purpose of ensuring Colorado's "energy, economic and environmental future," according to a Governors Energy Office GEO press release.

Following the Governor's action plan there have been significant advances toward a new energy economy for Colorado in addressing greenhouse gas emissions, both statewide and at the local level. In addition to advances in renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency through weatherization and certain insulation practices has helped to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

One way in which greenhouse gas emissions are being addressed locally is through the 2009 La Plata Climate Energy Action Plan (CEAP) in response to a US Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. CEAP provides a tangible way in which concerned citizens can get involved in identifying ways "our community, individuals, governments, businesses, and other groups can reduce greenhouse gasses throughout La Plata County."4CORE is currently initiating the creation of a collaborative region-wide strategy to decrease emissions in for Archuleta, Dolores, Montezuma and San Juan Counties.

Currently, 4CORE works to decrease emissions in Southwest Colorado through the CEAP Process in La Plata County, by providing weatherization assistance to low-income households, and through providing information about energy efficiency. Other strategies include community education and outreach as a way to increase local participation, and an incentives and services strategy that reinvests funds into the community and offers individuals a rebate to facilitate effective and sufficient energy services.

To date 4CORE has issued 199 rebates to community members, totaling approximately $135,000.

These programs resulted in 2,730 Metric Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions prevented annually. To get a better idea of this quantity, it is equivalent to 125,391 mature trees consuming carbon dioxide each year, or taking 641 cars off the road for one year.

The GEO is a leader in promoting Colorado's New Energy Economy by pushing for the production and manufacturing of clean modern energy technologies. In addition, the GEO currently offers the Insulate Colorado Program for homeowners wishing to make energy efficiency improvements to their existing homes. The GEO partners with local Colorado organizations such as 4CORE to offer rebates directly to qualifying homeowners for the installation of insulation and air sealing measures through the Insulate Colorado program. For more information please visit the Partnership Opportunities Section for an application.

As a student of Environmental Studies interested in the preservation of natural resources, it is my hope that this push for a new energy economy in Colorado will eventually be translated into a shift from excess and shortages to a relationship of social restraint for the purpose of both ecological and economic sustainability and the overall health of people and the landscapes we live in.

Through my experience studying environmental policy and culture, although short, it is my opinion that the support and efforts made by local organizations are vital to the stability and effectiveness of programs and efforts like the Climate Action Plan and the Insulate Colorado Program.

Being apart of the 4CORE team is an exciting opportunity to experience this process first hand and witness change.

About the Author

D. Linnea Decker is interning for 4CORE through the Environmental Studies department at Fort Lewis College. Linnea is a Colorado native living in Montezuma County, and attends Fort Lewis College as a full-time student working on a Bachelor’s of Art degree in English/Writing and Environmental Studies/Policy and Culture. Her interests, not surprisingly, reside in spending as much time in the Colorado wilderness as possible snowshoeing, hiking, biking and writing about nature.